Lily Yohannes on her future with USWNT and being the youngest player to start a CL game | Friendlies

On this week's "Friendlies", Sam Mewis speaks with 16-year-old phenom Lily Yohannes about her experience playing with the USWNT during the SheBelieves Cup, the role her family played in developing her young soccer career, and how it feels to be the youngest ever to start a Champions League match.
#uswnt #ajax #uwcl
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CORRECTION: We mistakenly said in our interview that Lily's Grandfather, Bokretsion Gebrehiwot, played for the Eritrean national team. While Lily's Grandfather was Eritrean, he represented the national team of Ethiopia. Eritrea belonged to Ethiopia between 1950 and 1993, when it then gained independence.

[@user-lg7ro8xn9i]

Eritrea NEVER BELONGED to Ethiopia! George Washington was not British before 1776, and Lily's Grandfather was not Ethiopian before 1991! Eritrea WAS COLONIZED by Ethiopia!

[@kycone]

I really like that Sam actually lets people think and take their time to answer. So many interviews have people being cut off or talked over constantly. This is refreshing.

[@billmacalaster4102]

It was such a delight to see Yohannes playing for the USWNT in St. Paul yesterday. I didn't even know that she was the youngest player until she scored the 3rd goal. The gal is a calm, confident, and talented baller. I hope the US National Team will retain such talent for the future; it would be a loss to us if they let her suit up for the Dutch team. Not only was she a better tactical midfielder in the short moment that she was on the pitch, but imagine what she can do with experience. She smells like the future.

[@robinclark4027]

Such a mature , studious and grounded young lady. Obviously brought up in a great home . Watching Ajax this year, she stood out every game. Going straight to the top and I hope my club Chelsea has their eyes on her as she’s exactly what they need in the middle of the park . Enjoyed this interview very much by Sam

[@yadthink]

I just saw an analysis of Lily's game; such ball skills! I have to say: Lily looks great wearing the US soccer crest! 😃

[@kevinkanter2537]

can you tell me where that analysis is? i looked up her stats, so knew about the yellow card preventing her playing the 2nd leg against Chelsea - but that she did start. really interesting that she played entire games (avg is only 60 min) ---- agree - but so difficult to invite her to be on the 18 going to Olympic (i don't think she would be an alternate??).

[@RobinPalmerTV]

These teenagers are absolutely incredible but gosh the pressure must be immense.

[@01FozzyS]

What a great interview of Lily, Sam! I think she has a great future ahead of her and I hope U.S. Soccer plays the right cards to keep her.

[@david_2097]

This was a great way to start my morning , thank you ☕😌 but I am still here patiently waiting for the Ashley Sanchez episode to drop 🥹

[@r2dad282]

Either Hayes is going to see the value and get her straight into the squad, or Lily will go with the NL. So if the Cat/Lily teamwork and chemistry develops, we will have a chance against Spain. If Hayes just wants to repeat the running/kicking style we currently have, better for Lily to stay in NL. As a NL player right now, she would start and get to play in the Euros as well, with less travel and better competition than CONCACAF. I know, that's not how national team decisions are "supposed" to be made, but unless you've been in the shoes of dual nationals it's hard to imagine the push and pull. And she is only 16--so young to make that big decision. I hope she stays healthy and makes the women's game more beautiful with her play.

[@kevinkanter2537]

doesn't seem that the USWNT will be relying on a direct athletic style but will gear into a possession + more internal passing --- now pretty much a direction 4 weeks after your insightul post. Still - lots of pull by AIX NL as the premier country team ---- but, no callup by NL national team --- maybe a chance. but ... wonder if the Olympic 18 is too small a group w/ only 20 min of play. I don't think Lily and parents would allow her to be cap-tied --- i would think such a big step would be more inntentional. Thanks for your comment. interested in your further thinking 4 weeks later.

[@TheChosenOne42513]

I’m so excited for lily yohannes let’s go Sam ❤❤❤

[@bfavaro1]

She’s so young! I love her 🥹 another great interview Sam!

[@T.R.75]

enjoyed the interview. really didnt know much about Lily, excited to see her play. good stuff as usual.

[@elenisk]

Great interview as always.

[@FunkyOldMedina]

If I was a betting person (which I’m not, for good reasons)… I’d bet LY stays and plays with NL. There is comfort and familiarity with NL for her, which is big at such a young age…

[@MKelly-pm1np]

She is going to play for the country that promises her the most playing time. This is what most of our dual nationals do. It would be great to have her play for the USWNT with it’s rich legacy and what they are trying to build with the young players. Its so ironic that she is being interviewed by Sam when most people see Lily as a replacement for Sam. But, maybe she has other ambitions. Only time will tell.

[@JennniferLeeKerns]

Wow I am so impressed with Lily! And what an awesome interview again by Sam! Lily is cool as a cucumber lol!!! Sam how do we nudge Emma to get her on the Olympic roster. She needs to commit lol or the Dutch gonna snatch her!!

[@Brownie2102]

From this i would wager she stays with Netherlands but I may be completely wrong here. I have no horse in this race but whoever she goes to, she seems a talent. She deffo supported the Netherlands though in the world cup final ahahaha

[@rynejones8513]

Yeah I think she might have her heart set on the Netherlands as well, understandable with it being so close to home and people she grew up playing with. Whichever team she chooses though it is going to be a delight to watch her play for them in the upcoming world cups.

[@asmarananatna5817]

Proud of you ሊሊ ኤርትራዊት ሕብንቲ ም

[@o-m9423]

Finally, the uswnt has options for the midfield, like with forwards. Batune, Yohannes, Shaw, Macario, Coffey, Sanches, etc.

[@justafan323]

Yeah, I would want to play for the NL team where I would play and start right away)or soon) point well made above about the competition in Europe. Seems like a kid w/a good head on her shoulders

[@kevinkanter2537]

question would be really imho --- play for club -- she hasn't been called up by the NL national team ..... I doubt Lilly would go w/ USWNT into olympics where she might be cap-tied ..... I also don't know if her flexibility is known right now we'll see ...

[@anoopgopikala8237]

Nice ❤❤❤

[@Gbc666]

W interview

[@kycone]

Lily already has enough media training to reveal absolutely nothing about anything 😂

[@e.s-brin8341]

I would love for Lily to, to play for USWNT, I still have hope, but it’s something to consider, all the kids she played with in the Netherlands or her friends and that’s something to be said when you have friends on your national team unlike she doesn’t know anyone on a US team very well.😢

[@e.s-brin8341]

No matter who she choose, I will always be a big fan, wishing her the best long , healthy successful career

[@alansmithee8831]

Hello Sam. Imagine teaching kids to give their teammates black eyes in training? No wonder Lily needs a second option of national team! P.S. I reckon she does support Netherlands...... at Eurovision this week. Also in Sweden now is women's U17 Euros - that Lionesses "tropical storm" is brewing!

[@alansmithee8831]

Oh no! Netherlands entry got to the final, but there is talk of it getting banned. It seems like I mention something as a bit of a joke and next thing it is all over the news!

[@alansmithee8831]

I mentioned something and it made the news! How strange. I only mentioned it because of you talking about being grateful to parents.

[@BrittMasters]

This might be deeply unpopular, but I don't think an interview like this with a minor is a good idea. Sometimes minors with stage/soccer parents who are pushed very hard from a young age to perform, end up burned out and deeply unwell by the time they are adults. The kindest thing to do seems to be let them be until they have a chance to grow and develop as individuals as privately as possible.

[@davidt3956]

The Titanic is not a good movie. Lily, ignore Sam and avoid it.

[@candacelong7643]

Bad take. Titanic is a great movie and a classic. Far beyond it’s time when it came out

[@davidt3956]

@@candacelong7643 Not really. It was an overlong, cheap melodrama in which we knew the ship would sink (spoiler alert).

[@kycone]

Titanic is so boring. I would never claim it as a classic and I’m older than Sam. That’s kind of a boomer movie more than anyone else’s.

[@ronniethomas8780]

If you're not into romance dramas I can see it not being your thing, but Titanic is definitely a classic and probably more so because it's a real story